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🔴 Breaking ❓ Unknown

Heavy Sentences Issued for Three Azerbaijani Turkish Activists Imprisoned in Evin Prison

May 11, 2026 May 11, 2026 2 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

Three Azerbaijani Turkish activists have been sentenced to 13 years in prison each for alleged conspiracy against national security. Many other activists remain detained without trial, raising concerns about human rights abuses in Iran. This situation highlights the ongoing repression of minority groups and dissent in the country.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The heavy sentencing of activists reflects ongoing repression in Iran.

👥 Key Players

Abolghasem Salavati (ابوالقاسم صلواتی) ACTOR
Judge
"Judge Abolghasem Salavati... sentenced three of these activists..."
Morteza Porvin (مرتضی پورین) TARGET
Civil-Political Activist
"The health condition of Morteza Porvin in Evin Prison is deteriorating."
Taher Naqavi (طاهر نقی) TARGET
Civil-Political Activist
"The organization 'Front Line Defenders' has called for the immediate release of Taher Naqavi."
Ayaz Seyfkhah (آیاز سیف‌خواه) TARGET
Civil-Political Activist
"Judge Abolghasem Salavati... sentenced three of these activists..."
Hossein Peiri (حسین پیری) TARGET
Civil-Political Activist
"Judge Abolghasem Salavati... sentenced three of these activists..."
Front Line Defenders ACTOR
Human Rights Organization
"The organization 'Front Line Defenders' has called for the immediate release of Taher Naqavi."

⚡ Actions

Tehran Revolutionary Court INDICT Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim, Hossein Peiri, Ayaz Seyfkhah
"Judge Abolghasem Salavati... sentenced three of these activists... to 13 years in prison each."
Confidence: 90%
security agencies ARREST Morteza Porvin, Taher Naqavi, Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim, Hossein Peiri, Karam Mardaneh Mostali Biglou, Baqer Hajizadeh, Saeed Jamalzadeh, Ayaz Seyfkhah
"Many Azerbaijani Turkish civil-political activists... were arbitrarily arrested by security agencies."
Confidence: 90%
Front Line Defenders CALL FOR RELEASE Taher Naqavi
"The organization 'Front Line Defenders' has called for the immediate release of Taher Naqavi."
Confidence: 80%

📰 What Happened

Iranian court sentenced three Azerbaijani Turkish activists to 13 years in prison each.

  • Tehran Revolutionary Court indict Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim, Hossein Peiri, Ayaz Seyfkhah
  • security agencies arrest Morteza Porvin, Taher Naqavi, Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim, Hossein Peiri, Karam Mardaneh Mostali Biglou, Baqer Hajizadeh, Saeed Jamalzadeh, Ayaz Seyfkhah
  • Front Line Defenders call for release Taher Naqavi

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: Because it highlights the government's crackdown on dissent and minority rights.
🌍 Regional: Because it may exacerbate ethnic tensions within Iran.
🌐 International: Because it raises concerns about human rights abuses in Iran.

📚 Background

The heavy sentencing of activists reflects ongoing repression in Iran.

📝 Key Evidence

"Judge Abolghasem Salavati... sentenced three of these activists..."
→ This proves the judicial actions taken against activists.
"Many Azerbaijani Turkish civil-political activists... were arbitrarily arrested by security agencies."
→ This proves the crackdown on dissent.
"The health condition of Morteza Porvin in Evin Prison is deteriorating."
→ This highlights the treatment of prisoners.
📡 Source: NEUTRAL
📊 Confidence: 80%
VOA Persian is generally regarded as a credible source.

According to a report received by Voice of America on Wednesday, October 17, 2023, a court session was held regarding the charges against some Azerbaijani Turkish civil-political activists in Evin Prison. The report states that Judge Abolghasem Salavati, head of the 15th branch of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, sentenced three of these activists, named Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim, Hossein Peiri, and Ayaz Seyfkhah, to 13 years in prison each on charges of 'conspiracy and collusion to disrupt internal and external security.' The final hearing for other detainees, including Morteza Porvin, Baqer Hajizadeh, Taher Naqavi, Karam Mardaneh Mostali Biglou, and Araz Aman, is expected to take place in the same branch in the coming days. On January 6 and 7, 2023, many Azerbaijani Turkish civil-political activists, including Morteza Porvin, Taher Naqavi, Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim, Hossein Peiri, Karam Mardaneh Mostali Biglou, Baqer Hajizadeh, Saeed Jamalzadeh, and Ayaz Seyfkhah, were arbitrarily arrested by security agencies in various cities and transferred to Evin Prison. These activists have been in Evin Prison for nearly nine months without a fair trial and without access to a designated lawyer. The end of a 10-day leave; Ismail Ahmadi, a labor activist, returned to prison in Ahar to continue his sentence. The organization 'Front Line Defenders' has called for the immediate release of Taher Naqavi, a jailed lawyer. ADAP reports that several Azerbaijani civil activists remain in Evin Prison without resolution after 110 days. ADAP also reports that several civil activists and supporters of the Tractor Sazi Tabriz team have been arrested. The health condition of Morteza Porvin in Evin Prison is deteriorating; his family reports he is facing 'low blood pressure and fainting.' Several Azerbaijani civil activists have been sentenced to prison. The continuation of a widespread wave of arrests in Iran; Hassan Nayeb Hashem states this reflects the government's fear.

🌐

Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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